By admin 
MARANA, AZ (AZFamily) — In Arizona, football is more than just a game.
For Trevor Lake, being a die-hard Arizona Cardinals fan has always meant believing in the comeback. Now, the 38-year-old husband and father is facing the fight of his life.
Read more Temporary break from the rain before monsoon moisture returns next week
On Friday, April 24, life at the Lake household in Marana, just outside Tucson, seemed entirely normal.
“Trevor got off to work very early, I got the kids off to school. He was able to complete the entire day of work as normal, came home, and then we settled in for the night,” his wife, Danielle, recalled.
The next morning changed everything. Danielle woke up to find Trevor unresponsive.
“He was not able to communicate. He had no motion in his body, but he was breathing, and I knew he was still there,” Danielle said.
Trevor, a healthy and active father of three, had suffered a sudden and catastrophic stroke caused by a blood clot traveling from his leg to his brain. Doctors diagnosed him with a massive, inoperable brainstem stroke in the basilar artery.
“There was no surgery, no removal of the clot. The clot still remains in place,” Danielle said.
The diagnosis transformed Danielle overnight from a stay-at-home mother in Tucson into her husband’s around-the-clock caregiver in Scottsdale, where Trevor is receiving critical medical care. Meanwhile, the couple’s three young children remain in Marana with family as Danielle prays daily for a miracle.
“It already caused damage to my brain. So now I just got to wait for it to not be there, but I am still going to have learning difficulties,” Trevor said. “I feel normal. I feel like I can get up and walk and hug my wife… but my body won’t let me.”
GoFundMe: Support Trevor and His Family After a Devastating Stroke
Despite the physical battle, Trevor’s spirit hasn’t wavered—drawing inspiration from his favorite player of all time, Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald.
Read more Tucson Police on scene of serious crash
When Trevor’s sister—ironically a die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan—shared his journey on social media, the story reached the Cardinals organization. Soon after, Fitzgerald himself sent a personal video message to lift Trevor’s spirits.
“I just wanted to send you a little note and let you know I’ve heard about your story and everything that you’ve been battling through. Your strength, your courage, your resilience is absolutely incredible,” Fitzgerald said in the video. “You’re a fighter in every single sense of the word.”
Fitzgerald even playfully weighed in on the family rivalry: “I also heard that you’re a huge Arizona Cardinals fan. So clearly, you’re a man of great character and exceptional judgment. Now, your sister… from what I heard, not so much. Trev, come on, brother. You got to find a way to convert her on over to the other side.”
Five months into recovery, Trevor’s determination is already astonishing his care team.
RELATED: Arizona Cardinals Foundation supporting people with special needs at ‘Cardinals Climb’
“The speed at which he’s recovering is incredible, and that’s what’s jaw-dropping for these doctors,” Danielle said, adding that the road ahead remains steep. “It takes a lot of heart and energy and love and support to be a caregiver… I am learning fast that I need extra help.”
Through every step, the couple’s bond remains the foundation of Trevor’s comeback.
“She’s done really good,” Trevor told Danielle, “and I hope I make you proud.”
“Oh, you are making me so proud, and you always have,” Danielle replied.
On Sunday, the Cardinals are hosting Trevor, Danielle, and his sister when Arizona takes on the Seahawks.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Read more Wheels, Wings & Rails: “Freedom One” – Tucson’s connection to the Iran Hostage Crisis